Thursday, March 31, 2011

If you didn't know, I use Aquila Nylgut Ukulele strings on my tenor and baritone ukes. Best sounding uke strings out there in my humble opinion.

I love my Kala tenor uke . . . but I've got such big bo-honking fingers, and the frets on a tenor uke are not exactly large . . . I can really only play chords on the first 5 frets.

Then one day a while back, I noticed on the package that Aquila makes a Baritone set tuned to G-C-E-A, just like my tenor. A baritone uke is usually tuned like the bottom 4 strings of a guitar . . . D-G-B-E.

Well, I jumped in and ordered a couple of sets. And . . . they work . . . at least to me. Now, I am not by any means a uke "purist." They are the "tools" I use as instruments when I sing certain songs. Restrung with the new strings, the Kala baritone is about as loud as my tenor . . . but with a little deeper sound. Some may not like it . . . but I do, especially as I work to learn the names of tenor uke chords.

Adam Hamilton's new book, "Why? - Making Sense of God's Will" is a treasure.

At least to me it is. I am by nature, personality type and character (I R one!), a believer and adherent to the concept of free will. The two major active foundational components of my personal theology are "grace" and "free will." Especially in understanding what I believe to be God's will for my life.

Adam doesn't use the words "free will" in his book, but the concept is central through all four chapters (it is only 100 pages). Available at Cokesbury or Amazon.com.

Why is it that most of the "profound" books I have read in my life are usually around 100 pages??

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The diet I am on is not really a diet . . . but rather my adopting a new core value through the daily use of a question which I hope will become a more integral part of my life.

The question is: Do . . . I . . . Eat . . . This?

What I have decided, after reading and research . . . is to eat fruits, vegetables, natural grains and nuts . . . while reducing meat consumption to 30g or less a day, which is probably around 9 ounces of meat (baked or roasted).

In other words, I am eating very little "processed" foods (no flour and sugars). In a week I can already tell a world of difference in how I feel physically, my energy level is up, and I am sleeping more soundly.

And, I have lost a few pounds as well. My quarterly physical in next month, so my doctor will no doubt be pleased. Hopefully, I will be off some of my meds as the weight decreases.

Some people call this a diabetes diet . . . some call it a "Bible" diet. I just call it good, so far.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I blogged before about my increasing my efforts to get back into shape in time for my scheduled trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico this coming September.

I am looking forward to Philmont . . . but need to get into shape so I can "survive" the experience, so I won't need a recovery time afterwards.

The diet is going OK, actually. Our oldest daughter and her husband are "experts" on this type of lower carb - more fruit and vegetables type diet. I also biked for the first time in several years, going 6+ miles. That was actually fun. And, I will be doing a lot of walking this week as part of my leave time from the church. I've got two "hikes" of 3-4 miles to get in this week.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Today is starting out with a lot of pondering and contemplation on things important, and not so important.

In the midst of deciding that there are a lot of things I can't control (but I can control my responses to them) I remembered this song. Good thing to know, as I find myself walking through a valley of sorts . . . a journey I have to travel because it is part of my personal life journey as I work to find peace in the sudden death of a friend and ministry partner. As the song says, "there ain't no one here can walk it for you . . . you gotta walk it by yourself."

Although he doesn't know it ... Pete Seeger is my musical mentor in many ways. Watching him perform, and watching him working with such ease to get the audience to sing with him . . . I never forgot those lessons. As a theraputic music entertainer, I enjoy getting people to sing, like the seniors in nursing and retirement homes; or those who gather at an RV park, campground, or Scout camp fire circle; or the children, youth and adults who come to worship at our church.

Something Pete said years ago has served me and others well when we pause to remember it. In my own words . . . good thing seem to happen when different kinds of people come to sing together, because afterwards, they might just start talking with each other.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Several years back, Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger did regular touring together. I have both CD sets of their concerts . . . awesome . . . to me anyway.

One of the songs Arlo sings, and tells a great story about, is the old Elvis song, "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You." I sing this song everytime I sing to senior adults. They usually can sing it with me word for word . . . and enjoy it at the same time!

The healing power of music, and God's grace, both still amaze me . . . ><>

Well . . . I am sure I am going to live to regret making this one particular blog entry.

Anyway . . . here goes nothing . . .

"Operation Philmont" begins on Friday. What, you are asking, is "Operation Philmont?"I am not really that glad that you ask . . . but I know that I am going to need some help.

"Operation Philmont" is my exercise and diet plan to start getting into shape so that when I go to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico this coming September, I will be in good enough physical shape to survive the experience.

My bike has been tuned up, and I will begin this Friday doing some riding in the parks near my home, working up to 10 miles in less than an hour (my old goal when I was biking 3 years ago. I could do 10 miles in 45 minutes depending on traffic.)

And, I am going to start walking / day hiking again. I don't know of anything more theraputic for me personally, than going on day hikes. Yes, I have arthristis in both knees, but day hiking involves taking careful steps, and planning the route, carrying the food and water I will need. My wife and I at one time could do a 3-5 mile day hike with no problem. Shoot, thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail do 15+ a day.

There are a lot of places to walk / day hike in Texas . . . over 60+ listed routes in and around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

The goal, again, is to go up to Philmont in September, serving as the chaplain of an adult training event there . . . and survive the experience. I need to be in better shape in order to handle the altitude as well.

In honesty, part of my motivation for doing this, is to do it for my health . . . but also as a tribute to my late friend, senior pastor and ministry partner, Ken Diehm. He placed such emphasis on being physically fit. He loved to bike, both road riding and mountain biking. His effort in being physically fit served him well.

Friday, March 11, 2011

I will be peforming at the Vineyards Campground herein Grapevine tomorrow, Saturday, March 12th from 10:30 AM - 12 Noon, as part of the dedication of the new Campground Store. I'm looking forward to this event . . . my first major music undertaking since Ken Diehm's death. He encouraged me to sing in as many venues as I could each week, and recognized it as part of my ministry. I will forever remember him telling me on several occassions, "you need to go sing somewhere."

I hope to be doing more public performing this spring, summer and fall as my schedule allows.

I will be singing this Saturday, March 12th, from 10:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Vineyards Campground, as part of the dedication of the new Campground Store.

I will be on the front porch area. As big as I am, you won't miss me.

Behind the store is the new outdoor performance area (picture), and I hope to be back soon to do an outside show this summer.

The Parks and Recreation and Campground staff have done a great job making some wonderful improvements and upgrades. This campground is a great resource for our community, and draws in a lot of people. I am glad to be a part of it all.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Still grieving the death of my friend and ministry partner, Ken Diehm.

If Ken were here, and I asked him what I needed to do to feel better . . . he would have advised me to "do something you love to do."

With that in mind . . . it's time to start singing!

I've only played the guitar twice in the past 2 weeks. Yesterday, while on the way back from a hospital visit in Dallas, I stopped off at Murphy's Music in Irving to visit with my friend, Warren Sewell . . . and to play a Martin JC-16ME . . . which I have had my eye on for a couple of months.

Warren's mom died a few months back . . . guess I wanted to talk with someone else who sorta knew the emotional state I have been in lately. He saw something in my eye, pulled the Martin off the wall, gave it to me, told me to sit down and play it, and then he left to leave me to myself and to my thoughts.

So, I played and sang, not caring who was listening or who heard me. In a word, it was very "theraputic."

Ken loved to bike ride, and before his death was training for 100 bike ride (referred to as a "century"), which Steve has info about on the website.

The picture here is one that Steve took of Ken leading the way on a group bike ride in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg, Texas.

I have a decent bike. Haven't ridden it much in the past few years. I fell off it a time or two about three years ago. Guess I lost my nerve to get back on it.

I am taking it to the bike store for a tune-up this week. I am in no way remotely ready for a 100 mile bike ride . . . but riding around my neighborhood for a while will help me journey through my grief brought on my Ken passing. Perhaps I will come up with an idea or two about what I can do as a rememberance of Ken. Maybe I'll hear God's voice as well.

It was confirmed last night that Tom Petty died after being found in his home unresponsive and in full cardiac arrest. Tom and the Heartb...

THANKS FOR DROPPING IN . . .

Rick's Song Bag . . .

is the blog of Rev. Rick Mang, a United Methodist clergyman who lives in Texas where he serves as pastor of a church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Rick is also a Certified Therapeutic Music Entertainer who sings for senior adults in area nursing, rehab and retirement homes, and in senior activity centers. Rick also sings for different church and community groups and events as his schedule allows.

For more information about Therapeutic Music Entertainment, singing to senior adults, or to start a music conversation, please email Rick at revrickmang@gmail.com.

I have been blessed to have had several mentors along my life's journery. Joe Laughlin was one of them. Joe was my "adopted" big brother, best friend, guitar and vocal mentor, and fellow Christian folk philospher. I miss him.

CHILDREN'S WORSHIP CD

Rick still has copies of his Children's Worship CD ... contact him by email at revrickmang@gmail.com to get a copy! Postage paid in the US. Donations are accepted. Free if that's how you want it.

Would you like to share your story about your favorite musical instrument?

I am soliciting stories about people and their favorite instruments to make music with. If you would like to share your story, then please contact me at revrickmang@gmail.com. I will get back with you to soon.

DISCLAIMER . . .

It goes without saying . . .

The thoughts, opinions, ideas, stories, meditations, prayers, and other information written anywhere on this blog are usually my own ramblings and responses to things I have seen, heard, read or witnessed. I write out of the ever changing and conflicted struggle that exists between my head and my heart as I try to live out my life mission in the best and most productive way I can.

What I write or share in no way reflects the views of any church, denomination, political party, friend, relative, writer, musical group, musician friend, artist, fishing buddy, fellow hiker, walker, other blogger, city, state, county, nation, or for that matter anybody else you possibly could ever hope to think of.

Sometimes, the words and thoughts of others are so well written, and touch me so deeply, that I am moved to share them. When and if I share the words and thoughts of others, I honestly try to give and acknowledge appropriate credit, and will do so if you bring it to my attention that I haven't.